[comp.windows.ms] 386SX & system integrity problem solved !

stu@tandem.com (Stuart G. Phillips) (03/04/91)

In case others run into the same problem...

I recently posted a request for help with a 386SX system having problems
running non-Window applications in a window under enhanced mode operation.
Any attempt to run the non-windows program resulted in a message saying..
"System integrity violation - quit windows and re-boot".

Sadly I got no joy from Microsoft Tech Support - they suggest a bunch of
irrelevant things to try which of course didnt work !

I isolated the problem to the Everex EVGA-673 display adaptor - this is
an 8-bit adaptor and was one of the first non-IBM "VGA" adaptors on
the market.  After buying an ATI Basic-16 VGA everything runs squeeky
clean - I believe there is a problem in the 673 BIOS which causes a 386
Protected mode exception when in enhanced mode.

Please *note* the number 673 - this is an early Everex board and the more
recent ones work just fine.  Also I havent yet talked to Everex about
the problem so this posting is FYI - I will bet several $$$ that 
Everex have a fix - I've had great support from them in the past.

Hopefully this posting will save you the many hours *I've* spent
diagnosing this problem - Grrrrhhhhh but Happy :-) !!

Stu